Exhaust supercharger

ABSTRACT

A novel and unique method of the control and re-use of exhaust emissions from automobile internal-combustion engines is herein disclosed. By means of a series of water and air-cooled mufflers, filters, vapor traps and a special air-exhaust mixing chamber, the exhaust mixture is cooled, cleaned, de-vaporized and combined with fresh air before it is re-cycled thru the engine carburetor, thus utilizing the un-burned fuel portion of exhaust emission, which normally escapes into the air, and providing a &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;sealed&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; system, whereby no exhaust gases, vapors, or hydrocarbon residue is permitted to escape into the atmosphere.

United States Patent 11 1 Ross, Sr.

1 1 Apr. 15, 1975 1 1 EXHAUST SUPERCHARGER [76] inventor: Paul LawrenceRoss, Sr., Denver,

Colo. 80287 221 Filed: Mar. 1, 1973 211 App1.No.:336,938

52 US. (:1. .L. 1231119 A [51] Int. Cl. F02m 25/06 [58] Field 01 Search123/119 A [561 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2.017.481 10/1935Von Opel 123/119 A 3.035.561 5/1962 Siegler 123/119 A 3.166.060 1/1965Falzone 123/119 A 3.559.402 2/1971 Stone et al 123/119 A 3.702.11011/1972 Hoffman et a1 ..123I119A 3.780.635 1/1974 Katcs et a1. 123/119 APrimary Examiner-Wende1l E. Burns [57] ABSTRACT A novel and uniquemethod of the control and re-use of exhaust emissions from automobileinternalcombustion engines is herein disclosed.

By means of a series of water and air-cooled mufflers, filters. vaportraps and a special air-exhaust mixing chamber, the exhaust mixture iscooled, cleaned, de-vaporized and combined with fresh air before it isre-cycied thru the engine carburetor. thus utilizing the un-burned fuelportion of exhaust emission, which normally escapes into the air. andproviding a sealed" system, whereby no exhaust gases, vapors, orhydrocarbon residue is permitted to escape into the atmosphere.

3 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAPR 1 51975 3,877, 447

Suit] 2 Bi 2 EXHAUST SUPERCHARGER I. Background of the Invention L Thepresent invention was developed as the result of the need for a newmethod of controlling exhaust emission in the present-day automobilehowever, by taking this control a step further, the current inventionprovides a means for re-cycling the exhaust mixture thru the engine,allowing a cooler blend of air and combustible gases to be introducedthru the carburetor, while eliminating the escape of any exhaustemission into the atmosphere, thus contributing to the control of airpollution.

2. Objects of the Present Invention In accord with the aims and designof the current invention, the primary object is to provide the exhaustsystem of an automobile with a means of recycling the exhaust emissions,after being treated and mixed with fresh air, thru the engine so thatthey may be re-used.

A second object is to reduce the pressure rate of the exhaust mixture,thru a combinatiotn of mufflers and a pressure reducing chamber.

A third object of the invention is that of cleaning and cooling theexhaust by means of filters and air and water cooling devices, beforethe mixture is re-cycled thru the engine. I

A fourth object is to remove the excess condensed vapor from the exhaustmixture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. I is a three-dimensional overallview of the exhaust supercharger, and its associated components.

FIG. 2 is a three-dimensional disassembled view of the air/exhaustmixing chamber.

FIG. 3 is a three-dimensional view of the watercooled muffler, and

FIG. 4 is an orthographic plan view of the air/exhaust mixing chamber.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIG. I shows the components of the basic device asassembled in conjunction with a conventional internal combustion engine,which is referenced in a brokenline outline, the components identifiedas follows:

The exhaust pipes (reference numerals 2 and 2') attach to the engineexhaust headers, and feed into a'single inlet pipe (reference numeral4), and thence into the air-cooled muffler (reference numeral 6). Thesound reducing muffler 8 is connected to the air-cooled muffler 6 by anexhaust pipe I and to the watercooled muffler 12 by an exhaust pipe 14.

Water circulation is supplied to the water-cooled muffler I2 by an inletline I6 from the water pump 18 and an outlet line 20 which returns tothe water reservoir 22, which in turn is connected to the water pump 18by a feeder line 24. Note: to insure proper cooling water circulation,the water pump I8 is to be a separate unit from the one normallyemployed for circulating the coolant thru the radiating/engine coolingsystem.

The water-cooled muffler I2 is connected by a pipe 46 to the vapor trap26 which connects to the air/exhaust mixing chamber 28 by a connectorsleeve 30. Fresh air is introduced into the mixing chamber thru a ramtube 32, and the air/exhaust mixture from the mixing chamber 28 is nextrouted thru an elbow 34 into the filter 36 thru the inlet tube 38 to theair cleaner 40 where the routing cycle of eixhaust gases is completed,as it is re-introduced into the engine carburetor.

FIG. 3 illustrates the water-cooled muffler 12 showing the cooling fins42 and'the inner muffler 44, which is enveloped by the circulatingwater.

FIG. 2 shows the component parts of the air/exhaust mixing chamber 28 asfollows: The vane impeller 48 is mounted inside the chamber housing withbearings 50 and 50 and secured to the shaft of the electric motor 52 bya nut 56 and washer 54. The electric motor is attached to the base ofthe housing by four screws 58 and nuts 60, and the cover 62 with itsseal ring 64 is held in place by the clamp ring 66.

The pressure reducing chamber 68, showing the baffle design, and thediverter plate are also illustrated in FIG. 4, in addition to therotation of the vane impeller 48, the path of the exhaust gases from thepressure reducing chamber 68 to the throat of the ram tube 32, wherethey are combined with fresh air and directed thru the, filter 36 to theengine air cleaner 40.

What is claimed for the present invention is:

I. An exhaust supercharger apparatus intended for mounting to theexhaust pipes and air cleaner and water pump of a conventional internalcombusion vehi cle engine, the apparatus comprising, in combination:

an air cooled muffler having an inlet pipe adapted to be connected tothe exhaust pipes of said engine, and an outlet pipe;

a sound reducing muffler having an inlet port and an outlet port;

an exhaust pipe adapted to connect said outlet pipe of said air cooledmuffler to said inlet port of said sound reducing muffler;

a water cooled muffler having an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe;

an exhaust pipe adapted to connect said outlet port of said soundreducing muffler to said inlet pipe of said water cooled mufi'ler;

a vapor trap having an inlet and an outlet;

a pipe adapted to connect said outlet pipe of said water cooled mufflerto said inlet of said vapor trap;

an air-exhaust mixing chamber including means for mixing fresh air withexhaust gasses, said chamber having an inlet and an outlet;

a pipe connecting said outlet of said vapor trap to said inlet of saidair-exhaust mixing chamber;

an elongated cylindrically shaped filter having an inlet and an outlet;

a pipe adapted to connect said outlet of said airexhaust mixing chamberto said inlet of said filter;

a pipe adapted to connect said outlet of said filter to an inlet tube ofsaid air cleaner of said engine;

a water reservoir having an inlet port and an outlet port;

a water jacket formed integrally with said water cooled muffler andhaving an inlet and an outlet;

and

water carrying tube means interconnecting said water reservoir to saidwater cooled muffler and to said water pump for maintaining waterflowing through said water jacket.

2. The exhaust supercharger apparatus as set forth in claim I whereinsaid water cooled muffler comprises an inner muffler of a rectangularcross-sectional configuration extending completely between said inletpipe and said outlet pipe; a watertight jacket completely sur- 3rounding the exterior surface of said inner muffler and spaced outwardlytherefrom; a watertight compartment defined intermediate the interior ofsaid jacket and the exterior of said inner muffler; an inlet port and anoutlet port affixed to opposite ends of said water jacket and connectedrespectively to said water inlet pipe and said water outlet pipe foringress and egress of water through said watertight compartment forcooling said inner muffler; and a multitude of longitudinally spacedapart outwardly transversely extending cooling fins affixed to saidwater jacket to assist in the cooling of said water jacket.

3. The exhaust supercharger apparatus as set forth in claim 2 whereinsaid air-exhaust mixing chamber is characterized by:

a cylindrical vertically extending housing having cylindrical sidewalls, a flat bottom surface, and an open top surface;

a chamber defined interiorly of said wall surfaces above said bottomsurfaces and opening out of said top surface;

a flat disc shaped member having vertical veins extending radiallyoutwardly from the periphery thereof disposed inwardly of saidcompartment concentric therewith to define a veined impeller member;

an opening centrally of said housing bottom surface in communicationwith said compartment;

an electric motor mounted to the exterior of said bottom surfaceconcentric therewith and having a shaft extending vertically upwardlytherefrom passing through said bottom surface central opening andaffixed to said veined impeller member to effect the rotation thereof insaid compartment;

a circular disc-shaped cover member adapted to restingly fit on saidcompartment top surface to close said compartment;

a ring shaped seal member interposed intermediate the top edge of saidhousing side wall surfaces and said cover member for sealing saidcompartment in an airtight manner;

a clamp ring member adapted to pass over the peripheral edges of saidcover member and engage a top edge portion of said housing completelyabout the side walls thereof for removably lockingly retaining saidcover member and said seal ring to said housing to close saidcompartment;

a horizontally disposed hollow open ended ram tube member having anoblong cross-sectional configuration and having an inlet end and anoutlet end, said ram tube extending radially outwardly from the sidewall of said housing with said outlet end in communication with saidhousing compartment for introducing fresh air thereinto;

said outlet from said chamber consisting of a cylindrically shapedoutlet pipe having one end affixed to an opening in the side wall ofsaid housing spaced about ninety degrees circumferally from said ramtube with said pipe extending radially outwardly therefrom in ahorizontal disposition;

a diverter plate member affixed to an interior of the housing side wallprojecting angularly' into said chamber, the diverter plate being of agenerally L- shaped configuration having the base thereof extendingvertically and affixed to the interior of the chamber side walls in aposition adjacent said outlet opening and on a side of said outletopening spaced furthest from said ram tube. the leg portion of saiddiverter plate extending outwardly into the path of said outlet openingin the general direction of said ram tube;

said inlet to said chamber consisting of an opening in the side wall ofthe housing spaced equal distancecircumferally from said outlet pipe andsaid ram tube on the opposite side of said veined impeller member;

a box-like hollow receptacle affixed to the exterior of said housingside walls completely surrounding said inlet opening and extendingradially outwardly therefrom and having an inlet port;

a cylindrical pipe having one end affixed to said rethereof.

i i i i i

1. An exhaust supercharger apparatus intended for mounting to theexhaust pipes and air cleaner and water pump of a conventional internalcombusion vehicle engine, the apparatus comprising, in combination: anair cooled muffler having an inlet pipe adapted to be connected to theexhaust pipes of said engine, and an outlet pipe; a sound reducingmuffler having an inlet port and an outlet port; an exhaust pipe adaptedto connect said outlet pipe of said air cooled muffler to said inletport of said sound reducing muffler; a water cooled muffler having aninlet pipe and an outlet pipe; an exhaust pipe adapted to connect saidoutlet port of said sound reducing muffler to said inlet pipe of saidwater cooled muffler; a vapor trap having an inlet and an outlet; a pipeadapted to connect said outlet pipe of said water cooled muffler to saidinlet of said vapor trap; an air-exhaust mixing chamber including meansfor mixing fresh air with exhaust gasses, said chamber having an inletand an outlet; a pipe connecting said outlet of said vapor trap to saidinlet of said air-exhaust mixing chamber; an elongated cylindricallyshaped filter having an inlet and an outlet; a pipe adapted to connectsaid outlet of said air-exhaust mixing chamber to said inlet of saidfilter; a pipe adapted to connect said outlet of said filter to an inlettube of said air cleaner of said engine; a water reservoir having aninlet port and an outlet port; a water jacket formed integrally withsaid water cooled muffler and having an inlet and an outlet; and watercarrying tube means interconnecting said water reservoir to said watercooled muffler and to said water pump for maintaining water flowingthrough said water jacket.
 2. The exhaust supercharger apparatus as setforth in claim 1 wherein said water cooled muffler comprises an innermuffler of a rectangular cross-sectional configuration extendingcompletely between said inlet pipe and said outlet pipe; a watertightjacket completely surrounding the exterior surface of said inner mufflerand spaced outwardly therefrom; a watertight compartment definedintermediate the interior of said jacket and the exterior of said innermuffler; an inlet port and an outlet port affixed to opposite ends ofsaid water jacket and connected respectively to said water inlet pipeand said water outlet pipe for ingress and egress of water through saidwatertight compartment for cooling said inner muffler; and a multitudeof longitudinally spaced apart outwardly transversely extending coolingfins affixed to said water jacket to assist in the cooling of said waterjacket.
 3. The exhaust supercharger apparatus as set forth in claim 2wherein said air-exhaust mixing chamber is characterized by: acylindrical vertically extending housing having cylindrical side walls,a flat bottom surface, and an open top surface; a chamber definedinteriorly of said wall surfaces above said bottom surfaces and openingout of said top surface; a flat disc shaped member having vertical veinsextending radially outwardly from the periphery thereof disposedinwardly of said compartment concentric therewith to define a veinedimpeller member; an opening centrally of said housing bottom surface incommunication with said compartment; an electric motor mounted to theexterior of said bottom surface concentric therewith and having a shaftextending vertically upwardly therefrom passing through said bottomsurface central opening and affixed to said veined impeller member toeffect the rotation thereof in said compartment; a circular disc-shapedcover member adapted to restingly fit on said compartment top surface toclose said compartment; a ring shaped seal member interposedintermediate the top edge of said housing side wall surfaces and saidcover member for sealing said compartment in an airtight manner; a clampring member adapted to pass over the peripheral edges of said covermember and engage a top edge portion of said housing completely aboutthe side walls thereof for removably lockingly retaining said covermember and said seal ring to said housing to close said compartment; ahorizontally disposed hollow open ended ram tube member having an oblongcross-sectional configuration and having an inlet end and an outlet end,said ram tube extending radially outwardly from the side wall of saidhousing with said outlet end in communication with said housingcompartment for introducing fresh air thereinto; said outlet from saidchamber consisting of a cylindrically shaped outlet pipe having one endaffixed to an opening in the side wall of said housing spaced aboutninety degrees circumferally from said ram tube with said pipe extendingradially outwardly therefrom in a horizontal disposition; a diverterplate member affixed to an interior of the housing side wall projectingangularly into said chamber, the diverter plate being of a generallyL-shaped configuration having the base thereof extending vertically andaffixed to the interior of the chamber side walls in a position adjacentsaid outlet opening and on a side of said outlet opening spaced furthestfrom said ram tube, the leg portion of said diverter plate extendingoutwardly into the path of said outlet opening in the general directionof said ram tube; said inlet to said chamber consisting of an opening inthe side wall of the housing spaced equal distance circumferally fromsaid outlet pipe and said ram tube on the opposite side of said veinedimpeller member; a box-like hollow receptacle affixed to the exterior ofsaid housing side walls completely surrounding said inlet opening andextending radially outwardly therefrom and having an inlet port; acylindrical pipe having one end affixed to said receptacle inlet portwith the opposite end extending radially outwardly therefrom relative tosaid chamber housing; a pair of baffle plate members extending parallelto each other into said receptacle compartment with said baffle platesbeing spaced from each other and with one baffle plate extending atleast partially in front of said housing inlet opening and with theother baffle plate extending at least partially in front of saidreceptacle inlet port so as to baffle incoming exhaust gasses to reducethe pressure thereof.